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A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit initiated by a former interim New York City police commissioner who claimed that the city’s police department, under the leadership of former Mayor Eric Adams and his senior officials, was steeped in “systemic corruption” and operated as a “criminal enterprise.”
Thomas Donlon, a veteran FBI official appointed by Adams to bring stability to a police department riddled with scandals, had filed this racketeering lawsuit back in July.
In his allegations, Donlon claimed he observed “systemic corruption and criminal conduct” facilitated by Adams and his associates, who, according to him, routinely inflated overtime, obstructed internal investigations, and punished whistleblowers.
Donlon, who once served as an interim commissioner, asserted that these corrupt practices were actively supported by the former Mayor and his team.
However, Judge Denise Cote decided on Wednesday that the misconduct described did not qualify as racketeering activity, as the lawsuit failed to demonstrate that the defendants acted with a “common purpose.”
A spokesperson for the city’s Law Department told The Associated Press they were “pleased the court agreed there was no legal basis for this case to continue.”
An attorney for Donlon, John Scola, told the outlet that his client had already appealed the ruling.
The police department was accused of operating as a “criminal enterprise.” (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/The Associated Press)
“Mr. Donlon confronted corruption within the NYPD’s highest ranks and was forced out for refusing to engage in illegal conduct,” Scola said. “We are confident the Second Circuit will allow his claims to proceed.”
Donlon was tapped by Adams following the September 2024 resignation of former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, whose phone was seized by federal officials as part of a criminal corruption investigation into the then-mayor and his administration.
He served as the interim commissioner for about two months before later being replaced by Jessica Tisch, who still serves as commissioner under the city’s current mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
Judge Denise Cote ruled that the alleged misconduct did not meet the definition of racketeering activity. (Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
Donlon’s lawsuit was just one of several complaints brought by veteran police officials who alleged a culture of rampant corruption and cronyism within the agency during Adams’ time as mayor.
Federal prosecutors have also recently brought several bribery cases against former police officials who served under Adams.